The United Way of the Coastal Empire launched another season of fundraising Thursday at the Savannah Civic Center where this year’s campaign goal was unveiled to a beat.

One at a time, members of the MPB Dance Group twirled and bounced about the stage in front of hundreds of the Coastal Empire’s business, community and nonprofit leaders, finally spinning around to reveal the goal: $8,255,555.

Between now and Nov. 18, businesses, community leaders and volunteers, as well as the UWCE Campaign Cabinet and local United Way leaders, will be high-stepping all of Coastal Georgia to meet and hopefully surpass this goal, in order to continue funding the many nonprofits and programs that United Way supports. UWCE is comprised of Bryan, Chatham, Effingham and Liberty counties.

Last year’s campaign exceed its $8 million goal by more than $100,000, with Effingham County contributing $307,000.

Pacesetters, including Georgia

Power, the Effingham County Board of Education and others, have already raised $1,021,732.

This year’s theme is "Everyday Heroes" but guests were brought into the spirit of the campaign when, at the beginning of the kickoff luncheon, a flash mob of dancers came from all over the Martin Luther King Jr. Arena , including many business leaders, United Way workers and campaign heads, as well as the BPM Dance Group.

This year’s campaign chair is Michael Traynor, who will travel the Coastal Empire dressed as the fictional everyday hero Clark Kent. Dinah King is vice-chair of the Effingham campaign and Julie Hales again will head the Effingham effort.